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South Miami approves $48,800 parking study after debate over scope and enforcement revenue
Summary
The commission approved a $48,800 contract with Thea Consulting for a town‑center parking study after commissioners questioned the scope expansion from earlier expectations and whether parking impact fees could pay for the work; the motion passed 3‑1.
The City Commission voted to engage Thea Consulting Inc. for a parking study (RFP FN2024‑3) in an amount not to exceed $48,800 after a heated exchange about scope and price on June 4. Commissioner Leibman questioned the change in cost from preliminary figures he recalled (as low as $15,000) to the current price, calling the increase “200%–400%” of the original expectation.
Mayor Fernandez and other supporters said the scope had expanded beyond the preliminary outline and argued timely completion was important. The mayor urged that the study be delivered within the staff‑represented timeline (45 days) so findings on enforcement, demand, and pricing could inform the budget. “We want the findings very clearly with respect to the parking enforcement to be finalized before we vote on a budget,” the mayor said, noting that the town center historically generated large numbers of parking citations.
Commissioner Leibman pointed to enforcement numbers quoted earlier in staff reports — roughly 41,000 tickets annually, with about 84% issued in the town center — and described the town center’s ticketing as a “huge cash extraction” compared with parking receipts. Other commissioners asked staff to examine whether parking impact fees could fund the study; staff replied that some parking impact fee collections still exist on the west side and that those funds are legally designated for parking purposes.
The motion to approve the Thea Consulting contract was moved and seconded, and the clerk called roll: the measure passed 3‑1 (Commissioner Lee voted No; Vice Mayor Boniche, Commissioner(s) Kaya/Leibman and Mayor Fernandez voted Yes). Commissioners asked staff to deliver the study in the proposed timeframe and to consider options such as liberalized free parking, adjustments to enforcement windows and better communications about parking costs and leniency.
Why it matters: the study will shape near‑term town‑center policy on enforcement, pricing and potential marketing measures to improve perceptions and access — and it will help the commission decide whether to reallocate budgeted amounts away from enforcement toward town‑center improvements.
